Three Waters Resort & Marina: A Laid-Back Luxury Escape in Islamorada

Located in the heart of Islamorada, Three Waters Resort & Marina offers a refreshing take on Florida Keys luxury. Just under two hours from Miami, the drive itself sets the tone, with open-water views, palm-lined roads, and a noticeable shift in pace as you get closer, giving way to an unmistakable island lifestyle. 

Set across 15 waterfront acres, the resort feels expansive yet surprisingly easy to navigate. Paths wind between guest rooms, pools, dining venues, and the marina, all anchored by constant views of the water. 

The design of the resort leans into a more relaxed, coastal aesthetic with a slightly modern edge. The open-air, breezy layout creates an environment that feels like you can spend the day exploring every inch of the property over and over again. It’s the kind of resort where you can settle in quickly and immediately feel like you’re on vacation.

Accommodations at Three Waters are intentionally different, giving guests different ways to experience the resort depending on the kind of stay they’re after. The main resort offers a mix of rooms, suites, and cottages, all designed with a light, coastal feel and easy access to the property’s pools, beach, and dining.

For a more elevated, adults-only experience, The Cove acts as a resort within the resort. Tucked away from the main energy, it offers a quieter, more private setting with its own pool, beach area, and ocean-facing rooms. It feels more boutique, with a slower pace and a stronger sense of retreat, ideal for those looking to fully unplug.

^Sidebar quote here: A resort within a resort, designed for a quieter, more elevated stay.

The resort also offers standalone cottages and villa-style accommodations, allowing for additional space and a more residential feel while remaining connected to the full Three Waters experience.

Having stayed at The Cove, I immediately noticed the difference. The atmosphere completely shifts. It’s calmer, more tucked-away, and leans into a slower, more relaxing pace. Yet this area still allows easy access to everything the larger resort offers.

Dining at Three Waters is definitely a central part of the experience, with multiple concepts that let guests shift between casual and elevated throughout their stay.

Little Limón, the resort’s rooftop restaurant, brings vibrant energy with fresh seafood, citrus-forward dishes, and an impressive selection of tequila and mezcal, all paired with sweeping panoramic ocean views.

Mercado Morada serves as the resort’s social hub, offering an open-air market atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A mix of bold Latin flavors, live music, and communal seating creates an energetic environment that naturally draws guests in. 

For something more laid-back, Islamorada Pizza Co. offers a playful, retro setting with house-made pies, and Hideaway provides a relaxed, poolside option ideal for a midday pool and beach visit. Just steps away, an on-site Starbucks makes early morning coffee runs and midday pick-me-ups effortless.

A visit to the Tiki Bar is essential. Located along the marina, it blends history with a lively, come-as-you-are atmosphere. Live music, waterfront views, and a menu of classic cocktails make it the liveliest gathering place to transition into the evening.

^ Sidebar quote here: The Tiki Bar, home of the original “Rum Runner” cocktail, remains one of the resort’s most iconic spots.

And lastly, for a more elevated dinner experience, Kindler offers a refined setting focused on wood-fired dishes. It provides an amazing contrast to the resort’s more casual venues while still maintaining the relaxed Keys atmosphere. The Filet Mignon is a must-try, so perfectly cooked with a subtle wood-fired finish that makes it one of the most memorable bites of my stay.

Days at Three Waters are designed to be as active or as relaxed as you want. A private beach, multiple pools, and marina access offer plenty of ways to spend time on the water. Beach cabanas provide a more secluded, luxurious option, which creates the perfect setting for a full day of sun, ocean air, and uninterrupted downtime.

Sidebar quote here: A beach-cabana day is by far the best way to experience the resort at its slowest pace.

Whether lounging poolside, kayaking on the water, or simply walking along the shoreline, the connection to the environment is truly the core of the resort. Guests can move from cocktails at the marina to dinner, or end the night quietly on a private terrace with the sound of the water in the background. Either way, you truly are one with nature wherever you go.

Three Waters Resort & Marina is the perfect balance between energy and ease. It has the energy and amenities of a full resort, but never loses that easy, unbothered Keys feel. You fall into that feeling fast. Mornings stretch, afternoons drift, and plans seem to work themselves out. By the time you leave, it’s not about what you checked off on your itinerary, it’s about how effortlessly it all came together.